WALDOBORO, Maine — Waldoboro’s only pharmacy is closing and residents say it’s a major inconvenience.
The independent Waltz Pharmacy announced it will close later this month, meaning residents of the town of 5,000 will have to drive about 20 minutes to have prescriptions filled in Rockland or Damariscotta. That’s not easy for low-income and elderly patients.
Waltz dispenses about 1,000 prescriptions per week.
Owner Dean Jacobs tells WCSH-TV there are a couple reasons he’s closing. He says Medicaid and private insurance companies have been cutting the amount they pay for prescriptions, affecting the pharmacy’s bottom line. He’d also like to focus full-time attention on the company’s growing long-term care pharmacy business in Brunswick.
Town Planning and Development Director Bill Najpauer says he is trying to recruit another pharmacy to fill the space.
On the same idea … People who live in the area of Topsfield and have to travel 20 miles just to buy gas for their cars and trucks. Makes it hard. By the time you gas up and get back home you already used over a gallon.
This is sad news. I only went into Waltz Pharmacy one time and thought it was a very nice place and the people were friendly. I wanted to get my prescriptions filled there but my insurance would only cover 1 month of a 3 month prescription if I chose to buy it from a local pharmacy rather than purchase it through their mail order.
I used to love the small pharmacies and the mom and pops stores. Every time a new Irving Station or Wal-Mart opens up, the first places to close are the small stores. I try to support small local business when I can. The older I get, the more I appreciate these smaller stores and the excellent services they offer.
Kennebec Pharmacy in Rockport, 594-0888, offers free delivery, so perhaps some of the Waltz’ customers might give them a try. Great people who are willing to go the extra mile.
I am not surprised as I stopped getting my presciptions filled there a few years ago. When you get a prescription filled, you should not be interrogated by the pharmacist. A class in friendlyservice 101 would not have hurt!